Hick nears world record

Graeme Hick is set to pass Graham Gooch's total of 1195 matches on Tuesday

Former England batsman Graeme Hick is set to break the world record for the number of competitive matches in the Twenty20 Cup clash against Warwickshire next week.

The 42-year-old will equal Graham Gooch’s 1,195 matches at Glamorgan on Sunday and go one better in front of his home fans at New Road on Tuesday.

Hick, who hit more sixes than any one else in domestic cricket last season, began the Royals’ Twenty20 campaign by smashing 88 from 58 balls in the nine-wicket win over Gloucestershire yesterday.

Hick is also on the cusp of several other records: he requires 600 more runs to overtake Andy Sandham on 41,284 and become the 14th highest career runs scorer. Colin Cowdrey is 13th at 42,719 and the next highest current player is Mark Ramprakash with 31,057 runs.

In List-A cricket, Hick needs 300 more runs to overtake Gooch who is the leading scorer on 22,211. In Twenty20 he is eighth on the all-time list with 1,017 runs in 29 matches.